Mentor gets big rebate from BWC

Mentor gets a big boost from the BWC, a historic home is getting a makeover and a beach party gets out of hand — those items and more from recent weekly reports from the city manager.

Highlights:• Last week, the city received a refund of more than $250,000 from the Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation. The amount is related to the rebate plan approved on May 30 by the BWC as proposed by the governor and is a return of surplus premium from 2011 and 2012. The revenue has been credited to the city’s Workers’ Compensation fund to further strengthen the city’s position in covering potential liabilities for future claims.

• The Building Department has received a building permit application for
a home addition, whole house roof and whole house siding on Hart
Street. The owner of the home was the winner of the 2013 CertainTeed
Exterior Living Spaces Home Makeover Contest. It is expected that
CertainTeed will have a camera crew in town during siding/roof
installation.

• During the late evening of June 23, officers assisted the Park Rangers and other local law enforcement agencies with a large party and gathering at the Headlands Beach. Officers assisted with traffic complaints and getting people out, once the Rangers closed the park.

Manager Comments
• Two males were arrested after they trespassed on the property of 7722 Metric Dr. in an attempt to steal scrap metal. The males fled the scene on foot when police arrived. After a prolonged foot pursuit and search, one of the males was captured. The other male was located at his home and arrested.

• Councilpersons Janet Dowling and John Krueger were joined by Assistant City Manager, Tony Zampedro, and Ron Traub at the ribbon cutting for Kronheim’s furniture store at 7590 Mentor Ave. on Thursday evening.

• Notice letters are ready to be delivered to residents regarding the 2013 Sidewalk Repair Program and also those homes in the North Palmerston/Bellflower area requesting access for the City and County Utilities Department to conduct dye testing of the storm and sanitary sewer systems.

• On July 4th, while the crowd waited for the fireworks to begin, Public Education Specialist Nathan Peters and fire station personnel instructed over 70 residents on the proper way to administer “Hands Only CPR.” Our residents were eager to learn so much life saving information in such a short period of time.

Fire Department• On July 3 at 12:35 p.m., Mentor Fire responded to smoke in a garage; the washer belt had burned, causing the smoke and smell. There was no fire and no injury.

• On July 3 at 12:51 p.m., Mentor Fire responded to a fire alarm sounding in a restaurant. Upon arrival, the business had been evacuated for a grease fire, which had been extinguished prior to the Fire Department’s arrival. Fire crews checked for fire extension, ventilated the building and reset the alarm.

• On July 5 at 12:38 p.m., Mentor Fire responded to a car vs. motorcycle accident on Lakeshore Blvd. The patient on the motorcycle was treated and transported to TriPoint Medical Center in stable condition.

• On July 6 at 10:36 p.m., Mentor Fire responded to a reported gasoline tanker truck on fire at a gas station. The brakes of the truck had caught fire. The fire was extinguished by the driver; fire crews applied water to the brakes to cool them. There were no injuries.

• On July 8 at 8:47 p.m., Mentor Fire responded to an MVA. A vehicle was driven into a pole in a parking lot. The driver of the vehicle suffered multiple injuries to his face; he was treated and transported to Lake Health West.

• On July 9 at 6:10 p.m., Mentor Fire responded to a grill “flash” fire. The homeowner’s propane tank attached to the grill malfunctioned. The patient was treated and transported to Lake Health West.

• On July 10 at 11:40 p.m., Mentor Fire responded to a possible fire in a room at 7677 Reynolds Road. The occupant of the room saw flames coming from the ceiling fan in the bathroom and used an extinguisher from the outside to extinguish the fire and called 911. Mentor Fire checked for extension in the ceiling and attic. Ventilation was completed; the occupant could not return to the room. The cause appears to be accidental, but is under investigation.

Police Department• On July 6, officers arrested a male for aggravated burglary, kidnapping and attempted rape. The male entered the residence of a female acquaintance without permission. He confronted the female in her bedroom and attempted to remove her clothes. The male fled the scene when the female’s husband arrived home. The suspect was apprehended a short time later.

• On July 7, a male was arrested for felonious assault. He was physically fighting with his brother in the front yard of his residence. The suspect struck his brother in the head with a coffee cup, causing several lacerations and continually punched him in the face. The victim received several stitches on his head.

• On the Fourth of July, the Police Department assisted with the Headland’s Parade, City fireworks display and several neighborhood bicycle parades. The City fireworks display went smoothly without any incidences or arrests. Traffic was completely cleared and all roads reopened within 65 minutes of the end of the event.

Engineering• The Engineering Department is currently working with Public Works on evaluating the existing storm sewer on Raymond Dr. from Brooks Blvd. to Dunbar Dr. Heavy rain on June 29 caused ponding water at the intersection of Brooks Blvd. and Raymond Dr. In at least one instance on the west end of Raymond Dr., debris was blocking an existing inlet preventing it from draining properly. However, the existing capacity of the storm sewer is also being evaluated at this time.

Parks and Recreation Department
• Currently, there are 2,619 children participating in summer camps. This is a very strong number despite a late ending and early beginning school year. Civic Center Day Camp continues to outpace other camps in attendance, maxing out weekly at 120 kids.

• Paddleboard, kayaking and other paddling classes are receiving very good attendance. More than 160 people are registered this year, compared to 145 last year. We’ve also had a record number of requests for guided kayak parties.

• The Senior Center served 1,526 meals last month; 150 of the meals were served at the monthly celebration. There are currently 4,244 Senior Center members.

• Take a trip back to the nostalgic 50’s at the Summer Concert Series on July 16 with the “Belairs.” Perhaps a few cars from the 50’s era will show to help set the mood.

Economic and Community Development
• Second quarter homes data for Lake County and the City of Mentor indicate a 52% and 45% respective increase in home sales over the first quarter 2013. For the same period, the average price increased 18% and 12% respectively, and the length of time a home was on the market declined 33% and 28%. In comparing the first quarter 2012 and 2013, the number of homes sold in the County increased by 77% (52% in the City). The average price increased 10% at the County level, but declined at the City level. The length of time a house was on the market also declined (-32% at the County level and -12% at the City level).

• MEACO has approved a $25,000 Mentor Small Business Loan for the purchase of new computer equipment for Professional Answering Service, Inc. Professional Answering Service, a medical answering service, was established in 1950 and is celebrating 63 years of business in Mentor.